Debi Rose part of new liberal voting bloc formed in City Council

Advance file photo"We believe that most New Yorkers want a more just, more equal city," said Councilwoman Debi Rose.

NEW YORK -- North Shore Councilwoman Debi Rose is one of 12 Council members who have formed a new liberal voting bloc that intends to press the legislative body on issues of economic development, civil rights, labor and housing.

The group, which calls itself the New York City Council Progressive Caucus, is expected to make a formal announcement at Thursday's stated meeting. The caucus is comprised of seven freshman Council members, including Ms. Rose, and co-chaired by Brooklyn freshman Democrat Brad Lander and Melissa Mark-Viverito, a second-term Democrat who represents the Bronx and Manhattan.

It will be the first time such a group was formed in the City Council based solely on a shared ideology. The move by Ms. Rose, a Democrat who also ran on the Working Families line, represents a clear break from her more conservative Staten Island colleagues, and a departure from her more moderate Democrat predecessors.

"We believe that most New Yorkers want a more just, more equal city, " Ms. Rose said in a statement released Thursday. "We must plan a recovery that diversifies our economy and looks to narrow the growing economic divide between those doing well and working-class families."

The Progressive Caucus’ first order of business will be to push for the passage of a law that would mandate paid sick days for all employees. The bill, first introduced last summer, has been re-worked after several lawmakers expressed concern about its potential financial impact on small businesses.

The bill’s language now defines small business as one with fewer than 20 employees, double the amount that was included in the original text.

"It’s up to the bill’s proponents to convince me that this is not going to negatively impact small businesses that are still struggling," Oddo said.

Ms. Rose said the Progressive Caucus group also plans to address the Section 8 voucher crisis, economic development policy focused on quality jobs, in diverse economic sectors; and investing in underserved communities as a part of the budget process.